[kictanet] FW: President Obama Outlines New Approach to Development

Fri Jul 2 20:38:27 EAT 2010

 Eric said ..2. The UK's David Cameron's push to cut excessive government spending is even more real in developing countires like Africa. Whiles it looks like the EU is moving to adopt (due to the Greece situation, etc) that as against the US strategy on "stimulus",
Comment:This is interesting Eric, listening Prof. Joseph Stiglitz recent interview I was struck by his assertion that cutting on spending may hurt EU countries  in the long run, he argues  "... you are not running an household budget which have short term focus." He argues that doing a way with stimulus at this time is ill advised. Governments must spend!
Time will tell whether this is the right time to cut on "stimulus" but remember Prof. Stiglitz was one of those who predicted the bust that we have just seen. Well Eric, it remains to be defined what is "excessive spending" and what is "right" spending to stimulate growth.
My view, Bwana PS and KICTB please "go excessive .." you are on right track so far but we need more!

Leonard

--- On Fri, 7/2/10, Eric M.K Osiakwan <emko at internetresearch.com.gh> wrote:

From: Eric M.K Osiakwan <emko at internetresearch.com.gh>
Subject: Re: [kictanet] FW: President Obama Outlines New Approach to Development
To: mleonardo at yahoo.com
Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Date: Friday, July 2, 2010, 3:38 PM

Alice,

While the Obama administrations indicative policy on development is laudable, it begs two imperatives;

1. How much action can we see sooner, the intent is good on paper but would it translate to real action. I raise this imperative because so far the Obama administration has not moved away much from the existing way of doing things as he had promised. Even on capital hill, the debate still rages, when would we see the change (s) we voted for. I am willing to give the Obama administration more time for us to see some action so please take this submission as my conclusion on the spoken word but we need to see the corresponding action. The healthcare bill is a big game changer but again, we wait for action.

2. The UK's David Cameron's push to cut excessive government spending is even more real in developing countires like Africa. Whiles it looks like the EU is moving to adopt (due to the Greece situation, etc) that as against the US strategy on "stimulus", i do not necessarily see them as opposing but rather complimentary, hence the show down at the G8 and G20 for me was more of screen acting. Our governments need stimulus investment in the critical sector of the economy to generate growth and development (US position) but in the same vain they need cut down on excessive government spending (UK position). 

Eric here

On 30 Jun 2010, at 18:32, alice wrote:

> This might be of interest.
> 
> best
> 
> alice
> 
>   http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/a-new-approach-advancing-development
> 
> 
>   The White House
> 
>   Office of the Press Secretary
> 
>   For Immediate Release
> 
>   June 25, 2010
> 
>   *A New Approach to Advancing Development*
> 
>   At the Muskoka G8 Summit, President Obama outlined his views on a
>   new approach to development. In his recently released National
>   Security Strategy, development is recognized as a moral, strategic,
>   and economic imperative for the United States and our partners.
>   Development, diplomacy, and defense are components of a
>   comprehensive, integrated approach to the challenges we face today.
>   Countries that achieve sustained development gains make more capable
>   partners, can engage in and contribute to the global economy, and
>   provide citizens with the opportunity, means and freedom to improve
>   their lives.
> 
>   President Obama launched a study of U.S. development policy in
>   September 2009 and will be issuing a new policy directive in the
>   near future. The new U.S. development policy builds on two signature
>   initiatives launched by the Obama Administration in 2009 to focus on
>   results-based, strategic investments aimed at promoting meaningful
>   and lasting results:
> 
>   • *Feed the Future:* At the London G20 Summit in 2009, President
>   Obama announced a global food security initiative that has the
>   support of the world’s major and emerging donor nations, includes
>   strong roles for our multilateral institutions, and is led by
>   partner countries that are ready and willing to develop
>   comprehensive plans and commit their own resources to agricultural
>   and market development. Secretary Clinton launched the comprehensive
>   U.S. strategy – “Feed the Future” – to implement this groundbreaking
>   effort in May 2010. To date, the United States has led international
>   efforts to review nine comprehensive country strategies, commit new
>   resources in support of those strategies, collaborate in the
>   establishment and initial capitalization of the World Bank-led
>   Global Agriculture and Food Security Program, and launch a new
>   research and development program.
> 
>   • *Global Health Initiative:* In May 2009, President Obama announced
>   the Global Health Initiative (GHI), which builds on the progress and
>   success of PEPFAR (the President’s Emergency Program on AIDS Relief)
>   and also expands our global health effort and impact by including
>   investments to strengthen health systems, improve maternal child
>   health, address neglected tropical diseases, and foster increased
>   research and development. The GHI will integrate our health programs
>   in order to reduce inefficiencies and expand impact, and is designed
>   to save lives and achieve sustainable outcomes. This new, integrated
>   approach will be fast-tracked in eight countries.
> 
>   President Obama’s new development policy will:
> 
>   • *Foster the Next Generation of Emerging Markets: * The U.S. will
>   intensify efforts to promote sustainable economic development and
>   support good governance by making targeted investments in countries
>   and/or regions where the conditions are right for progress.
> 
>   • *Invest in Game-Changing Innovations:* By leveraging the power of
>   research and development, the U.S. will work to create and scale-up
>   technologies for health, green energy, agriculture, and other
>   development applications.
> 
>   • *Meet Basic Human Needs in a Sustainable Fashion:* The U.S. will
>   continue to be a global leader in the meeting of basic human needs,
>   but will place increasing emphasis on building sustainable public
>   sector capacity to provide basic services over the long-term.
> 
>   • *Tailor Development Strategies:* The U.S. will tailor development
>   strategies in countries in or recovering from conflict to reflect
>   the unique conditions on the ground, and will join efforts to
>   promote stabilization and achieve security with those designed to
>   promote our long-term sustainable development goals.
> 
>   • *Hold all Aid Recipients Accountable:* The U.S. will seek
>   sustained development progress in all countries receiving U.S.
>   economic assistance by placing a greater focus on policy reforms key
>   to development.
> 
>   In addition, in pursuing these objectives, the U.S. will pursue a
>   new approach to development that:
> 
>   • *Is More Selective:* The U.S. will seek a division of labor with
>   other donors and focus its efforts on select countries, regions, and
>   sectors - while ensuring critical development needs are met.
> 
>   • *Leverages other Donors, Philanthropy, Diaspora and the Private
>   Sector:* The U.S. will seek a division of labor with other donors
>   and make a concerted effort to partner with other actors to leverage
>   U.S. investments.
> 
>   • *Underscores Country Ownership and Mutual Accountability:* The
>   U.S. will place a premium on partnering with countries that are well
>   governed and will work to strengthen their institutions and support
>   their development strategies.
> 
>   • *Strengthens Multilateral Capabilities:* The U.S. will support
>   multilateral development capabilities and support key reforms and
>   the creation of new capabilities, where required.
> 
>   • *Drives Policy with Analysis:* The U.S. will adopt metrics and set
>   in place rigorous standards for monitoring and evaluation, and use
>   data and analysis to drive decision-making.
> 
> 
> ---
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